Ratu Savenaca Tamaibeka (died 6 March 1959) was a Fijian civil servant and rugby union international. He captained the Fiji national rugby union team on their second overseas tour in 1928.
Savenaca Tamaibeka | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roko Tui of Macuata | |||||||||||||||||
| In office 1939–1946 | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||
| Died | 6 March 1959 Suva, Fiji | ||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Biography edit
Tamaibeka started his rugby career in 1914, becoming one of the best players in the territory.[2] Described in official documents as a brilliant rugby player,[3] he was also noted to be the "first Fijian to use his powerful running ability to football advantage". He played in Fiji's first-ever international match on 18 August 1924 against Samoa in Apia, scoring Fiji's second try "with three opponents hanging on to him" as they won 6–0.[4] He captained the team that went on the second overseas tour to Tonga in 1928.[2] He played his tenth and final match for Fiji against Samoa on 21 September 1928.[1]
Outside of rugby, Tamaibeka joined the Posts and Telegraphs department in 1916.[3] He later moved to the Medical Department, where he worked until being appointed Roko Tui of Macuata Province in 1939, a role he held until going on leave prior to retirement in 1946.[3] He lost a leg in 1941.[3]
He died in Suva in March 1959.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b Savenaca Tamanibeka ESPN
- ^ a b c Ratu Savenaca Tamaibeka Pacific Islands Monthly, April 1959, p151
- ^ a b c d Fiji Annual Report 1946, p36
- ^ Sanzar laden Barbarians to commemorate 100 years for Fiji Super Rugby